DE202006003697U1

DE202006003697U1 - Apparatus for cleaning solar cells or panels arranged to carry out a course and then a fine cleaning

Info

Publication number: DE202006003697U1
Application number: DE202006003697U
Authority: DE
Original assignee: Schulz, Eberhard
Priority date: 2006-03-09
Filing date: 2006-03-09
Publication date: 2006-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-10

Abstract

The cleaning apparatus has a frame (3) which can be driven relative to the solar cells (2) in a drive direction. The apparatus also has an arrangement of cleaning units spaced one after another in the drive direction. The cleaning units are used to first carry out a coarse cleaning of the cells and then at least one fine cleaning process. The first cleaning process may be carried out by means of a shovel and the second by means of brushes.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for cleaning solar cells.
By the continuous development of solar cells will not strengthen these only in regions with very high sunshine duration for energy production used in private and industrial applications. A general Problem with the use of solar cells is that these always outside be used and thus quickly due to weather and environmental influences pollute. In solar cells, such contamination is special critical, since even small levels of contamination to significant losses of efficiency lead the solar cells.
Therefore is an important task in such solar cells at regular intervals clean.
From the DE 103 17 479 B4 is a cleaning system for solar panels known. To clean the solar panels, a motor-driven, rotatable brush roller is provided. At the longitudinal end of the brush gear are provided, by means of which the brush roller is guided in guide rails. The transmissions is assigned a drive unit so that the rotational movement of the brush roller is converted into a movement along the guide rails.
The DE 100 13 989 A1 relates to a cleaning device for solar collectors. This device comprises movable scrapers in the form of rubber lips via a motor-driven transport chain. Furthermore, spray nozzles are provided for spraying cleaning liquid onto the solar collectors in a sta tionary guide rail.
Of the Invention is based on the object, a device for cleaning to provide solar cells, which with little design effort a high functionality having.
to solution This object, the features of claim 1 are provided. advantageous embodiments and appropriate training The invention are described in the subclaims.
The inventive device is used to clean solar cells and includes a respect to the Solar cells in one direction movable frame and one Arrangement of in the direction of travel of the frame at this one behind the other spaced cleaning units. With these cleaning units is consecutive first at least one rough cleaning and then at least one fine cleaning feasible.
By the sequential arrangement according to the invention several cleaning units on the movable relative to the solar cell Setting is a multi-level and thus very thorough and intensive cleaning the solar cell allows. By arranged in the direction of travel on the frame one behind the other Cleaning units is a structurally simple means temporal sequence successively carried out cleaning processes. Advantageous In this case, in particular, that the individual cleaning processes coordinated, creating a particularly thorough Cleaning the solar cells allows becomes.
The Sequence of the cleaning processes is chosen so that at least one Rough cleaning follows at least a fine cleaning. Especially advantageous is on the frame to carry a rough cleaning a shovel attached. The shovel is one brush assembly downstream, by means of which a first fine cleaning takes place. to Improvement of the cleaning effect of this brush assembly is another Cleaning unit for implementation downstream of a further fine cleaning, this cleaning unit from a wiper blade and / or a nozzle system for acting on the Solar cells with a cleaning liquid, in particular water, is formed.
According to one first variant of the invention, the device for cleaning laid from the bottom side, generally arranged substantially horizontally Solar cells are used. At the frame of this device are then rollers attached, which on the solar cell to be cleaned can be rolled up. The device does not have its own drive. The device Rather, it is set in motion by means of a vehicle, which has a guide preferably articulated with the device can be coupled.
The so trained cleaning system has a very flexible, modular Build up. By means of the guide arm can each differently designed devices to suitable vehicles be coupled to application specific the appropriate To provide cleaning system.
According to a second variant of the invention, the frame of the device can be moved on linear guides, in particular on guide rails. This device is particularly suitable for cleaning roofs of buildings, which have given sloping roofs. The device is coupled in this case particularly advantageous fixed to the linear guides and forms with this one Assembly, that is, the device remains permanently on the linear guides. The advantage of this design of the device is that it does not have to be removed from the linear guides after a cleaning process.
The The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. It demonstrate:
1 : Schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for cleaning solar cells.
2 : Top view of the device according to 1 with an assigned vehicle.
3 : Schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device for cleaning solar cells.
The 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a device 1 for cleaning solar cells 2 , The device 1 according to the 1 and 2 is used for cleaning of the bottom side laid and thus arranged substantially horizontally arranged solar cells 2 as part of a solar system for power generation in outdoor areas such as gardens.
The device 1 has a frame 3 on, by a lying in a horizontal plane profile construction consisting of metallic profiles 3a - d exists. At the frame 3 are rollers 4a -C rotatably mounted. In the present case are three rollers 4a -C provided. A first, front castor 4a is on a wave 5a stored between the two longitudinal profiles 3b , c of the frame 3 is stored. At the rear end of the frame 3 are on another wave 5b as well as other rollers 4b , c provided. In principle, a single suspension for the rear wheels 4b , c be provided.
Through the rollers 4a -C becomes the device 1 on the respective solar cell to be cleaned 2 moved in a direction F. On the frame of the device 1 in the direction of travel F three different cleaning units are arranged at a distance one behind the other. By a suitable storage of the rollers 4a -C is the attachment height of the cleaning units specified. In principle, these cleaning units also on the frame 3 be arranged adjustable.
As the first cleaning unit for performing a rough cleaning of the solar cell 2 is at the profile at the front of the frame 3 a shovel 6 arranged. The shovel 6 extends over the entire width of the frame 3 , With the shovel 6 can cause coarse dirt such as snow or leaves on the solar cell 2 be removed.
At a short distance behind the blade 6 is a brush assembly as a second cleaning unit 7 provided, which also extends over the entire width of the device. With the brush arrangement 7 a first fine cleaning is performed, for example, frost or dust on the solar cell to be cleaned 2 to remove.
The brush arrangement 7 may consist of an array of rotating brushes, wherein the axis of rotation of the brushes transverse to the direction of travel of the device 1 runs. The brushes preferably have spirally arranged bristles. The brushes are driven by means of a drive, not shown, on the frame of the device 1 is attached. Alternatively, the brush assembly 7 be designed in the form of a motor-driven linearly running brush chain. The running direction of the brushes runs transversely to the direction of travel.
In the direction of travel behind the second cleaning unit is the third cleaning unit a wiper blade 8th arranged. The wiper blade 8th extends over the entire width of the device 1 and is about the solar cell to be cleaned 2 drawn, whereby a further fine cleaning takes place, in which dirt, with the brush assembly 7 could not be eliminated from the solar cell 2 can be removed.
Alternatively or in addition to the wiper blade 8th can as a third cleaning unit, an arrangement for charging the solar cell 2 be provided with a cleaning liquid. In the simplest case can use water as a cleaning fluid. Advantageously, the arrangement consists of a nozzle system which arises over the entire width. Depending on the design of the nozzles, water jets or steam jets are applied to the solar cell to be cleaned 2 guided. A reservoir for the cleaning fluid is stationary on the device 1 appropriate.
The device 1 according to the 1 and 2 does not have its own drive. Therefore, the device becomes 1 by means of a vehicle 9 along the solar cell to be cleaned 2 guided. The device 1 is about a guide arm 10 with the vehicle 9 connected. The guide arm 10 can from one on the vehicle 9 rotatably and pivotally mounted hydraulic support arm or from a boom on the vehicle 9 be formed.
The guide arm 10 is articulated with the device 1 connected. This coupling is caused by the driving movement of the vehicle 9 the device 1 carried along and so along the solar cell 2 guided. This exercises the guide arm 10 no pressure on the top of the device 1 out, leaving the device 1 only with its own weight against the solar cell 2 is pressed.
For coupling the guide arm 10 is a recording 11 provided in the form of a profile construction, which is fixed to the frame and protrudes above this upwards. This profile construction has two on the side profiles 3b , c arranged vertically extending post 12a , b on, over a horizontal girder 13 are connected. On the carrier 13 is a suspension 14 provided on which the guide arm 10 can be fixed.
3 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 for cleaning solar cells 2 , The solar cells 2 are in this case on the roof 15 a building, with the roof 15 has a predetermined inclination.
The device 1 according to 3 has analogous to the embodiment according to the 1 and 2 a frame 3 on which three cleaning units are arranged. In further accordance with the embodiment according to the 1 and 2 is the device 1 according to 3 in a direction F along the solar cells 2 movable, wherein the cleaning units in the direction of travel F are arranged one behind the other on the frame. The first cleaning unit again consists of a blade 6 , the second cleaning unit of a brush assembly 7 , The third cleaning unit is again a wiper blade 8th and / or a nozzle system for charging the solar cells 2 provided with a cleaning liquid.
The arrangement according to 3 differs from the embodiment according to the 1 and 2 in terms of the movement mechanism. The device 1 according to 3 has two parallel spaced linear guides in the form of guide rails 16a , b on. The solar cells 2 lie between the two guide rails 16a , b. At the bases of the side profiles 3b , c of the frame are not shown guide means provided in the two guide rails 16a , b are guided. As a guide means, for example, motor-driven gears may be provided which in corresponding racks on the guide rails 16a , b grab. Furthermore, as linear guides and tape controls and the like may be provided.
The frame 3 with the cleaning units is firmly on the guide rails on the guide means 16a , b docked. The device 1 thus forms a firm to the solar cells 2 arranged unit which is movable between two limit positions at this. 3 shows the device 1 with the frame in a first limit position. The lengths of the guide rails 16a , b are so to the arrangement of the solar cells 2 adapted that the solar cells 2 in procedures of the frame 3 be completely cleaned from the first to the second limit position of the cleaning units.

1: contraption
2: solar cell
3: frame
3a-d: profile
4a-c: castors
5a: wave
5b: wave
6: shovel
7: brush assembly
8th: wiper blade
9: vehicle
10: guide
11: admission
12a: post
12b: post
13: carrier
14: suspension
15: top, roof
16a: guide rail
16b: guide rail

Claims

Device for cleaning solar cells with a in terms of the solar cells in a traveling direction movable frame and a Arrangement of in the direction of travel of the frame at this one behind the other spaced cleaning units, by means of which successively first at least one rough cleaning and then at least one fine cleaning feasible is.
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the frame ( 3 ) as a first cleaning unit a blade ( 6 ) is provided for performing a rough cleaning.
Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the first cleaning unit in the direction of travel of the frame ( 3 ) a second cleaning unit with a brush arrangement ( 7 ) is arranged downstream to carry out a fine cleaning.
Device according to claim 3, characterized in that that the second cleaning unit is an arrangement with rotating to brush having.
Device according to claim 4, characterized in that that the rotating brushes spirally having arranged bristles.
Device according to claim 3, characterized in that that the second cleaning unit a linearly running brush chain having.
Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized that the second cleaning unit, a third cleaning unit to carry out is subordinated to a further fine cleaning.
Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the third cleaning unit of a wiper blade ( 8th ) is formed.
Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the third cleaning unit, a nozzle system for charging the solar cells ( 2 ) with a cleaning liquid.
Device according to claim 9, characterized in that that the cleaning fluid Water is.
Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the frame ( 3 ) is formed by a rectangular profile construction.
Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the plane of the frame ( 3 ) parallel to the surface of the solar cells ( 2 ) is oriented.
Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that on the frame ( 3 ) at least three rollers (4a-c) are provided, by means of which the device ( 1 ) along bottom-mounted solar cells ( 2 ) is movable.
Device according to claim 13, characterized in that on the frame ( 3 ) a recording ( 11 ) for a guide arm ( 10 ) is provided by means of which the device ( 1 ) with a vehicle ( 9 ) is connectable.
Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the guide arm ( 10 ) hinged with the receptacle ( 11 ) connected is.
Device according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the receptacle ( 11 ) one from the top of the frame ( 3 ) has a projecting profile construction on which a suspension for the guide arm ( 10 ) is provided.
Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the frame ( 3 ) is movable on linear guides.
Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the linear guides on one of the solar cells ( 2 ) receiving building roof are attached.
Device according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the frame ( 3 ) is permanently connected to the linear guides.
Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the linear guides of guide rails ( 16a , b) are formed.